Britain's queen says "thank you" for support during 60-year reign

Feb 6, 2012, 11:52 GMT

London - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II marked her 60 years on the throne with a 'thank you' to the nation Monday and a pledge that she would serve for the rest of her life.

Amid freezing temperatures, the queen, 85, Monday paid a visit to the town of King's Lynn, in the east of England, with Prince Philip, 90 - her husband of 64 years.

Later Monday, there was scheduled to be a 41-gun Royal Salute in London's Hyde Park to mark the 60th anniversary of the day the young Princess Elizabeth became queen on February 6, 1952.

Her father, King George VI, had died, aged just 56, that night on Sandringham Estate, near King's Lynn, where the queen is staying during the anniversary, and where she attended a church service on Sunday.

In a Diamond Jubilee message released Monday, the queen thanked Britons for the 'wonderful support and encouragement' she had received over the past six decades.

And, scotching any speculation that she could ever contemplate abdicating in favour of her son, Prince Charles, the queen renewed her pledge to serve.

'In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness...' she said.

Queen Elizabeth is currently the longest-serving monarch after Queen Victoria, her great-great-grandmother, who reigned for more than 63 years between 1837 to 1901.

While Monday's anniversary celebrations were kept low key, there will be four days of national celebrations in June to mark the queen's Diamond Jubilee.